In a visionary move, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has come up with significant schemes aiming at ameliorating the distress of senior citizens and developing integrated programmes and policies in close collaboration among various State Governments, Non-Governmental Organizations and civil society. All these schemes are directed under the noble drive of adhering to the welfare of the senior constituents in our demography.
Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY): To cater to the various needs of Senior Citizens including shelter, food, healthcare and human interaction/life of dignity, the Department looks to implement its flagship AVYAY program. The components of the AVYAY Scheme are as under:-
• Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) — This is a vital element of the AVYAY scheme under which grant is provided to Non-Governmental/ Voluntary Organizations for the running and maintenance of Senior Citizens’ Homes (old age homes), continuous care homes, etc. Facilities like shelter, nutrition, medicare and entertainment are provided free of cost to indigent senior citizens. Presently, 639 projects have already been provided funds under IPSrC across the country.
• State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC)- This is another component of AVYAY, under which funds are disbursed to States/ UTs for the creation of a pool of trained Geriatric Caregivers for senior citizens, for carrying a special drive for Cataract Surgeries for Senior Citizens and State Specific Activities for the welfare of senior citizens, especially who are living in destitute.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) – This flagship program aims at assisting senior citizens to battle any age-related disability/infirmity, with assisted living devices that can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions, overcoming the disability/infirmity manifested such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and loco-motor disabilities.
• Elderline: National Helpline for Senior Citizens (14567) -The Ministry has set up the National Helpline for Senior Citizens to provide free information, Guidance, Emotional Support and field intervention in cases of any abuse and rescues. The elderlies from 31 States/ UT can dial up this toll-free number that is functional between 8 am and 8 pm, all 7 days of the week.
• Senior-care Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) – To promote unconventional and innovative solutions for the usual problems faced by the elderly, innovative start-ups are being identified and encouraged to develop products, processes and services for the welfare of the elderly under this initiative. The initiative is implemented through IFCI Venture Capital Funds Ltd. (Investment Manager).
• Geriatric Caregivers Training – With the focus on bridging the gap between supply and increasing demand in the field of geriatric caregivers and also creating a cadre of professional caregivers in the field of geriatrics, this component was introduced. The programme ensures the availability of dedicated, professionally trained manpower of geriatric caregivers who can attend to the diverse and dynamic needs of the elderly population.
